Page 97 of Danger Close

Maybe it was time to tell her. Maybe it was…

She pulled over into a small parking lot at the side of the one-lane highway. The diner looked like a cottage, with a small wheel on the side that spun from the power of the rushing creek that wove around the back.

Trinity didn’t look at me again as she turned off the engine, and stepped out, slamming the door behind her.

My heart ached again. The veneer of last night dissipated, slipping from my grasp like grains of sand. I got out of the car because what other choice did I have? Where else could I go?

I could call Cobra to come get me, but would he take my side over Trinity? No, I would not put him in that position. I’d endure, even if I had to be ostracized to another table so my daughter could have her bridal breakfast, or whatever event I’d been roped into.

Stepping out of the car, my head bowed like a chastened child, I drew comfort from the leather jacket on my shoulders. I pulled it tight around me both against the chill, and to keep me together as Cobra had last night.

“Ray!” Trinity’s voice made me stop in my tracks.

My head spun towards her and I blinked, afraid of what I was seeing.

This had to be a nightmare. A terrible, terrible nightmare.

“Trinity!” I called out, just as she threw her arms wide, giving the devil a hug.

“My girl!” Ray spun her around. His slow, southern drawl made every syllable twice as long as it needed to be. “I heard you were getting married, and I thought I’d come by to see it for myself.”

Trinity showed him her ring finger, and he laughed. His ice blue eyes sparkling.

“Well, that’s a beaut! I saw the announcement in the newspaper. You and the son of the CIA director? Wow-wee,” he said with a smile, before he put his arm around Trinity, and his pale, cool eyes scanned the surroundings until they landed on me. “How long has it been since I’ve seen you, sweetheart?”

“Trinity, come back here thisinstant!”I stomped my foot like I was admonishing a toddler that was trying to run away.

Trinity looked puzzled and annoyed.

“Twenty years!” Trinity said, oblivious to the serpent coiling itself around her.

“Twenty years, is that right?” His smile turned into something menacing as his eyes roamed my body. “Hardly feels like any time at all. It’s swell to see the two of you. Really.”

“Trinity, get away from him.” I reached out, ready to yank her back to me, but recoiled in fear when he sent me a look that told me he’d hurt her if I did.

“What are you talking about?” Trinity shook her head like I was a madwoman.

I wanted to scream! My daughter wasn’t listening to me. She would trust anyone except for me. “Come here, Trinity.”

I couldn’t get to her. I wanted to, but my feet were frozen. I was rooted to the spot, unable to run towards her becauseone glancefrom him, and I was struck with paralyzing fear. Everything I’d done, all the training, all the work to make sure I wasn’t defenseless anymore was gone. It evaporated like smoke, and I was absolutely and utterly powerless.

“Come here, Teri.” Ray extended his free arm out to me. “Come give your man a hug.”

I shook my head. I wouldn’t run. I couldn’t. Leaving my daughter alone with that monster wasn’t a thing I could physically do, but I couldn’t lunge for her and drag her away either. He wouldn’t allow it.

“Come give me a hug.” Ray’s voice grew forceful and menacing, and I kept shaking my head. “Give me a hug, Teri.Now.”

Trinity’s brows lowered with suspicion, as she looked between the two of us.

Ray let out a long, aggrieved sigh, before he dropped the hand he’d extended to me.

“That’s unfortunate, Teri.”

To my absolute horror, he went into the back of his trousers, and pulled out a small gun. He pressed it into Trinity's temple.

“Now, you’re going to come with me.” He winked, his sadistic glee at what he was about to do almost took me to my knees. “Or I’ll blow her head off.”

Chapter 43